U.S. patent number 6,295,681 [Application Number 09/469,734] was granted by the patent office on 2001-10-02 for rotary brush cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Olga H. Dolah.
United States Patent |
6,295,681 |
Dolah |
October 2, 2001 |
Rotary brush cleaning device
Abstract
A rotary brush cleaning device with interchangeable brush
attachments including a power unit adapted for being held in a hand
of a user. The power unit comprises a housing adapted for being
gripped in the hand of a user, and the housing has an interior. A
motor is mounted in the interior of the housing. An attachment
mounting member is located in the interior of the housing, and a
power source is located in the housing. At least one
interchangeable brush attachment is provided for removably coupling
to the power unit. The brush attachment includes a brush portion
and an attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit. The attachment
mounting member has a mounting groove formed by an inner wall
surface and an outer wall surface spaced from the inner wall
surface. The mounting groove is substantially annular and peg
members are located at diametrically opposite locations on the
annular mounting groove. The attachment base portion of the brush
attachment has a sleeve portion for insertion into the mounting
groove of the attachment mounting member of the power unit. The
attachment base portion has an attachment slot for receiving and
engaging the peg member of the attachment mounting member. The
brush attachments may include a toilet cleaning brush attachment, a
bottle cleaning brush attachment, a sponge brush attachment, a baby
bottle nipple cleaning brush attachment, a wire brush attachment,
and a scouring brush attachment.
Inventors: |
Dolah; Olga H. (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23864877 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/469,734 |
Filed: |
December 21, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.1; 15/101;
15/23; 15/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B
13/001 (20130101); A47L 17/00 (20130101); A46B
2200/3073 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
13/00 (20060101); A47L 17/00 (20060101); A47L
017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/22.1,23,28,59,65,69,74,75,101 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Till; Terrence R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush
attachments, comprising:
a power unit adapted for being held in a hand of a user, the power
unit comprising:
a housing adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user, the
housing having an interior;
a motor mounted in the interior of the housing;
an attachment mounting member located in the interior of the
housing;
a power source located in the housing; and
at least one interchangeable brush attachment for removably
coupling to the power unit, the at least one brush attachment
including a brush portion and an attachment base portion mounted to
the attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit;
wherein the attachment mounting member has a mounting groove formed
by an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface spaced from the
inner wall surface.
2. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the power
source is removably mounted in the interior of the housing, the
power source having a power source case removably insertable
through a second opening in a second end of the housing.
3. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 2 wherein a second end
of the power source case has a recess formed therein, and a bar
extending across the recess of the second end of the power source
case for permitting finger pinching of the bar to pull the power
source case from the housing.
4. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 additionally
comprising a pair of peg members each extending from the inner wall
surface to the outer wall surface.
5. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 4 wherein the mounting
groove is substantially annular and the peg members are located at
diametrically opposite locations on the annular mounting
groove.
6. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the
attachment base portion of the brush attachment has a sleeve
portion for insertion into the mounting groove of the attachment
mounting member of the power unit.
7. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 6 wherein the
attachment base portion has an attachment slot for receiving and
engaging the peg member of the attachment mounting member.
8. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 7 wherein the
attachment slot has an entry portion extending in the longitudinal
direction of the brush attachment and a locking portion extending
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
entry portion such that rotation of the attachment base portion
about the longitudinal axis moves one of the peg members received
in the entry portion of the attachment slot into the locking
portion of the attachment slot.
9. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment includes an elongate intermediate shaft extending
between the attachment base and a central shaft of the brush
portion.
10. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 9 wherein an exterior
surface of the intermediate shaft has a plurality of annular
grooves for facilitating finger gripping of the intermediate shaft
for pulling the attachment base from the attachment mounting
member.
11. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a toilet cleaning brush attachment, the toilet
cleaning brush attachment comprising a splash shield mounted on the
intermediate shaft adjacent to the brush portion to block splashing
of liquid from the brush portion toward the attachment base, and a
plurality of bristles mounted to the central shaft.
12. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 11 additionally
comprising a toilet brush receptacle having an interior for
receiving the brush portion of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment, the toilet brush receptacle having an upper rim adapted
for resting the splash shield of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment.
13. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a bottle cleaning brush attachment, the bottle
cleaning brush attachment includes a plurality of bristles mounted
to a central shaft of the brush portion.
14. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a sponge brush attachment, the sponge brush
attachment including a plurality of radially-extending sponge arms
mounted to the central shaft.
15. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a baby bottle nipple cleaning brush
attachment, the baby bottle nipple cleaning brush attachment
including a plurality of bristles mounted to the central shaft, the
plurality of bristles having a diameter that tapers smaller toward
a free end of the central shaft.
16. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a wire brush attachment, the wire brush
attachment including a bristle mounting flange mounted to the
intermediate shaft opposite the attachment base, the bristle
mounting flange extending outwardly from the intermediate shaft,
and a plurality of wire bristles mounted to the mounting flange,
the wire bristles extending generally parallel to the intermediate
shaft.
17. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush
attachment comprises a scouring brush attachment, the scouring
brush attachment including a mounting flange mounted to the
intermediate shaft opposite the attachment base, the mounting
flange extending outward from the intermediate flange, and a
scouring brush filament mounted to the mounting flange.
18. A rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush
attachments, comprising:
a power unit adapted for being held in a hand of a user, the power
unit comprising:
a housing adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user, the
housing having an interior;
a motor mounted in the interior of the housing;
an attachment mounting member located in the interior of the
housing;
a power source located in the housing;
at least one interchangeable brush attachment for removably
coupling to the power unit, the at least one brush attachment
including a brush portion and an attachment base portion mounted to
the attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit;
wherein the power source is removably mounted in the interior of
the housing, the power source having a power source case removably
insertable through a second opening in a second end of the housing;
and
wherein a second end of the power source case has a recess formed
therein, and a bar extending across the recess of the second end of
the power source case for permitting finger pinching of the bar to
pull the power source case from the housing.
19. A rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush
attachments, comprising:
a power unit adapted for being held in a hand of a user, the power
unit comprising:
a housing adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user, the
housing having an interior;
a motor mounted in the interior of the housing;
an attachment mounting member located in the interior of the
housing;
a power source located in the housing; and
at least one interchangeable brush attachment for removably
coupling to the power unit, the at least one brush attachment
including a brush portion and an attachment base portion mounted to
the attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit;
wherein the brush attachment includes an elongate intermediate
shaft extending between the attachment base and a central shaft of
the brush portion; and
wherein an exterior surface of the intermediate shaft has a
plurality of annular grooves for facilitating finger gripping of
the intermediate shaft for pulling the attachment base from the
attachment mounting member.
20. A rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush
attachments, comprising:
a power unit adapted for being held in a hand of a user, the power
unit comprising:
a housing adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user, the
housing having an interior;
a motor mounted in the interior of the housing;
an attachment mounting member located in the interior of the
housing;
a power source located in the housing; and
at least one interchangeable brush attachment for removably
coupling to the power unit, the at least one brush attachment
including a brush portion and an attachment base portion mounted to
the attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit;
wherein the brush attachment comprises a toilet cleaning brush
attachment, the toilet cleaning brush attachment comprising a
splash shield mounted on the intermediate shaft adjacent to the
brush portion to block splashing of liquid from the brush portion
toward the attachment base, and a plurality of bristles mounted to
the central shaft.
21. The rotary brush cleaning system of claim 20 additionally
comprising a toilet brush receptacle having an interior for
receiving the brush portion of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment, the toilet brush receptacle having an upper rim adapted
for resting the splash shield of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment.
22. A rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush
attachments, comprising:
a power unit adapted for being held in a hand of a user, the power
unit comprising:
a housing adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user, the
housing having an interior;
a motor mounted in the interior of the housing;
an attachment mounting member located in the interior of the
housing;
a power source located in the housing; and
at least one interchangeable brush attachment for removably
coupling to the power unit, the at least one brush attachment
including a brush portion and an attachment base portion mounted to
the attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit;
wherein the brush attachment comprises a sponge brush attachment,
the sponge brush attachment including a plurality of
radially-extending sponge arms mounted to the central shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cleaning devices and more
particularly pertains to a new rotary brush cleaning device for
permitting brush cleaning of a variety of items using a single
power unit and a plurality of specialized brush attachments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of cleaning devices is known in the prior art. More
specifically, cleaning devices such as brush cleaning devices for
single specialized purposes are known in the art. However, in order
to have the benefit of a multiplicity of these specialized cleaning
devices, one must purchase each of these specialized devices at
significant combined cost. Further, upon purchasing all of these
specialized devices, significant storage area must be dedicated to
storing all of the specialized devices. Still further, maintaining
each of the devices and toting the devices around the house during
cleaning chores pose further challenges to the use of these
individual devices.
While the devices of the prior art fulfill their respective,
particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned
specialized devices do not disclose a new rotary brush cleaning
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of cleaning devices now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new rotary brush cleaning device construction
wherein the same can be utilized for permitting brush cleaning of a
variety of items using a single power unit and a plurality of
specialized brush attachments.
The new rotary brush cleaning device of the present invention
generally comprises a power unit adapted for being held in a hand
of a user. The power unit comprises a housing adapted for being
gripped in the hand of a user, and the housing has an interior. A
motor is mounted in the interior of the housing. An attachment
mounting member is located in the interior of the housing, and a
power source is located in the housing. At least one
interchangeable brush attachment is provided for removably coupling
to the power unit. The brush attachment includes a brush portion
and an attachment base portion for removably mounting to the
attachment mounting member of the power unit. The attachment
mounting member has a mounting groove formed by an inner wall
surface and an outer wall surface spaced from the inner wall
surface. The mounting groove is substantially annular and peg
members are located at diametrically opposite locations on the
annular mounting groove. The attachment base portion of the brush
attachment has a sleeve portion for insertion into the mounting
groove of the attachment mounting member of the power unit. The
attachment base portion has an attachment slot for receiving and
engaging the peg member of the attachment mounting member. The
brush attachments may include a toilet cleaning brush attachment, a
bottle cleaning brush attachment, a sponge brush attachment, a baby
bottle nipple cleaning brush attachment, a wire brush attachment,
and a scouring brush attachment.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device apparatus which has many of the
advantages of the cleaning devices mentioned heretofore and many
novel features that result in a new rotary brush cleaning device
which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even
implied by any of the prior art cleaning devices, either alone or
in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device which is of a durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device which is susceptible of a low cost of
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such rotary brush cleaning device
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new rotary brush cleaning device which provides in the apparatuses
and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally
associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device for permitting brush cleaning of a
variety of items using a single power unit and a plurality of
specialized brush attachments.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new
rotary brush cleaning device which provides specialized cleaning
implements including a toilet cleaning brush attachment, a bottle
cleaning brush attachment, a sponge brush attachment, a baby bottle
nipple cleaning brush attachment, a wire brush attachment, and a
scouring brush attachment.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new rotary brush cleaning device that provides the ability to clean
a variety of household objects using the specialized brush
attachments without having to employ a multiplicity of other
cleaning devices.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new rotary brush
cleaning device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the second end of the power unit of
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention taken
along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first end of the power unit of
the present invention with the brush attachment removed.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a scouring brush attachment of
the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a toilet cleaning brush
attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a sponge brush attachment of the
present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a bottle cleaning brush
attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a baby bottle nipple toilet
cleaning brush attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a wire brush attachment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1
through 10 thereof, a new rotary brush cleaning device embodying
the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the rotary brush
cleaning device 10 generally comprises a power unit 12 adapted for
being held in a hand of a user and a plurality of interchangeable
brush attachments for removably coupling to the power unit.
The power unit of the invention generally comprises a housing 14
adapted for being gripped in the hand of a user during use. The
housing has an interior 16, and a first end 18 and a second end 20.
The first end has a first opening 22 into the interior of the
housing, and the second end has a second opening 24 into the
interior of the housing.
A motor 26 is mounted in the interior of the housing. The motor has
a motor case 28 with a rotating shaft 30 extending out of the motor
case. The rotating shaft of the motor extends toward the first
opening of the housing.
A power source 32 is located in the housing. The power source may
be preferably removably mounted in the interior of the housing, and
is preferably removably insertable through the second end of the
housing. The power source has a power source case 34 with a pair of
electrical contacts 36 on a first end 38 of the power source case.
A pair of wires 37 connects the electrical contacts to the
motor.
A second end 39 of the power source case has a recess 40 formed
therein. The recess has an arcuate concave surface, and a bar 42
extends across the recess of the second end of the power source
case for permitting finger pinching of the bar when pulling the
power source case from the housing. The power source may comprise a
rechargeable battery that is removably mounted in the housing,
although the rechargeable battery may be permanently mounted in the
housing. Optionally, the power source may comprise a replaceable
battery.
A power switch 44 may be provided for selectively permitting
electrical power flow from the power source to the motor. The power
source switch is mounted on the housing, and has a portion located
on an exterior of the housing for being actuated by a finger of the
user.
An attachment mounting member 46 is provided for coupling to a
brush attachment. The attachment mounting member has a mounting end
48 and an interior end 50. A mounting groove 52 is formed on the
mounting end of the attachment mounting member. The mounting groove
is formed by an inner wall surface 54 and an outer wall surface 56
that is spaced from the inner wall surface. A pair of peg members
58, 59 each extend from the inner wall surface to the outer wall
surface. The mounting groove preferably may be substantially
annular with the peg members being located at diametrically
opposite locations on the annular mounting groove.
The interior end of the attachment mounting member has a bore 60
therein, and the bore receives a free end of the rotating shaft of
the motor. A bearing 62 is mounted between the attachment mounting
member and an interior surface of the housing for permitting smooth
rotation of the attachment mounting member in the housing.
Each of the brush attachments comprises a brush portion 64 and an
attachment base portion 66 for removably mounting to the attachment
mounting member of the power unit. The brush portion is mounted to
the attachment base portion. The attachment base portion has a
sleeve portion 68 for insertion into the mounting groove of the
attachment mounting member of the power unit. The attachment base
portion is preferably provided with an attachment slot 70 for
receiving and engaging each of the peg members of the attachment
mounting member. The attachment slot has an entry portion 72
extending in the longitudinal direction of the brush attachment.
Further, the attachment slot has a locking portion 73 extending
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
entry portion. Rotation of the attachment base portion about the
longitudinal axis of the brush attachment moves the peg member
received in the entry portion of the attachment slot into the
locking portion of the attachment slot for providing a positive
locking of the brush attachment to the attachment mounting member
of the power unit by resisting longitudinal movement of the brush
attachment.
Each of the brush attachments also preferably includes an elongate
intermediate shaft 76 extending between the attachment base and the
brush portion. Ideally, an exterior surface of the intermediate
shaft has a plurality of annular grooves 78 for facilitating finger
gripping of the intermediate shaft for pulling the attachment base
of the brush attachment from the attachment mounting member when
interchanging brush attachments.
A first brush attachment comprises a toilet cleaning brush
attachment 80. The toilet cleaning brush preferably includes a
splash shield 82 mounted on the intermediate shaft at a location
adjacent to adjacent to the brush portion to block splashing of
liquid from the brush portion toward the attachment base. The
splash shield may have a concave surface toward the brush portion
and a convex surface toward the attachment base.
A plurality of bristles 84 are mounted to a central shaft of the
brush portion. The bristles preferably define an outer diameter
smaller than an outer diameter of the splash shield.
Optionally, the intermediate shaft may have a length about twice a
length of the central shaft of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment. As a further option, the plurality of bristles may have
a diameter about four times a diameter of the intermediate
shaft.
A toilet brush receptacle 86 may be provided having an interior for
receiving the brush portion of the toilet cleaning brush
attachment. The toilet brush receptacle preferably has an upper rim
88 adapted for resting the splash shield of the toilet cleaning
brush attachment so that the attachment is maintained in an
upstanding position and the receptacle catches any liquids dripping
off of the brush portion.
A second brush attachment comprises a bottle cleaning brush
attachment 90. The bottle cleaning brush attachment has a brush
portion with a plurality of bristles 92 mounted to a central shaft
of the brush portion. The central shaft of the brush portion may
have a length substantially equal to a length of the intermediate
shaft.
A third brush attachment comprises a sponge brush attachment 94.
The sponge brush attachment comprises a plurality of
radially-extending sponge arms 96 mounted to the central shaft. A
central shaft of the brush portion may have a length about
one-third of a length of the intermediate shaft. The plurality of
sponge arms may comprise five sponge arms, and each of the sponge
arms may have a rectangular cross section.
A fourth brush attachment comprises a baby bottle nipple cleaning
brush attachment 98. The baby bottle nipple cleaning brush
attachment comprises a plurality of bristles 100 mounted to a
central shaft of the brush portion. The plurality of bristles has a
diameter that tapers smaller toward a free end of the central
shaft. The central shaft of the brush portion has a length about
half of a length of the intermediate shaft.
A fifth brush attachment comprises a wire brush attachment 102. The
wire brush attachment comprises a bristle mounting flange 104
mounted to the intermediate shaft opposite the attachment base. The
bristle mounting flange extends outwardly from the intermediate
flange. Optionally, the bristle mounting flange may have a diameter
about four times a diameter of the intermediate shaft. A plurality
of wire bristles 106 is mounted to the mounting flange, with the
wire bristles extending generally parallel to the intermediate
shaft. Optionally, the bristles may have a length about one-fourth
a length of the intermediate shaft.
A sixth brush attachment comprises a scouring brush attachment 108.
The scouring brush attachment comprises a mounting flange 110
mounted to the intermediate shaft opposite the attachment base. The
mounting flange extends outwardly from the intermediate shaft.
Optionally, the mounting flange may have a diameter about three
times a diameter of the intermediate shaft. A scouring brush
filament 112 is mounted to the mounting flange. The scouring brush
filament extends in a generally serpentine and random
direction.
In use, the brush attachments may be interchangeably attached to
the power unit as various cleaning chores are addressed. The need
for a plurality of specialized devices is fulfilled by a single
power unit and a plurality of specialized brush attachments.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of
the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the
manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *